InfraBlue wrote:But read in context, Exodus 7:3-5 doesn't imply, like the example you are drawing with Frank, that the idea of god, or the thought of god made Pharaoh's heart hard. It specifically states a cause and effect relationship to achieve an end. 7:3"But I will (cause) harden Pharaoh's heart (effect), that I may multiply My signs and marvels in the land of Egypt (end). 4When Pharaoh does not heed you (effect), I will lay my hand upon Egypt and deliver My ranks, My people the Israelites, from the land of Egypt with extraordinary chastisements (end). 5And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand over Egypt and bring out the Israelites from their midst. (end)"
The god is the cause of Pharaoh's hardened heart, the effect through which the god will demonstrate his hand to the Egyptians through extraordinary chastisements, and also through his hand that the Egyptians shall know that he is the LORD.
This demonstrates a cause and effect relationship to achieve an end, rather than mere figurative speech.
Tell me, you say that the entire context of the Bible shows that God has given man a free will, but are there other passages that contradict this, or if you prefer, seemingly contradict this, like in the example from Exodus?
C'mon Infra,
Does saying , "He makes me sick." demonstrate cause and effect?
No . It describes a reaction I had to something he said or did or......
How about " I will break down their resistance with my proposal" Cause and effect? Only if "they" have no choice in the matter.
It is describing a reaction, chosen by "them" (I hope) to what I will say.
The only difference is God KNEW what Pharaohs reaction would be. He didn't have to guess , or say I hope, or I hope not. He KNEW. So He predicted the outcome.
Again one more time, "George Bush gives liberals fits" . Did GWB omnipotently force his hearers to rage over what he said? No they chose to react in anger because of their choice to disagree with him strongly.
We use language like this ALL THE TIME.
---------------------
BTW different versions punctuate this passage differently. Since there is no punctuation in the original Hebrew, it is a subjective call where to place the commas and periods. It can subtly , and sometimes not so subtly, alter the emphasis intended or seen in the text.
3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, 4 he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites.
-----------------------------------------
There are some Christian groups that do not believe man has a free will at all. The passages we are looking at are generally used as their strongest evidence to make their case. As you can see, it is pretty weak.